§ 16. Mr. Mitchisonasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is an urgent need for new council houses in Wilbarston and in neighbouring villages; that the Kettering Rural District Council purchased a site for housing in Wilbarston, sank a well and obtained water of unsatisfactory quality; what steps are being taken to make that water drinkable and with what result; whether it is proposed to constitute a Northampton county joint water board and by that or 1685 some other means to provide a satisfactory piped water supply and adequate housing for Wilbarston and adjoining villages; and what steps are being taken meanwhile to use the site in Wilbarston or to build houses elsewhere in the neighbourhood.
§ Mr. BevanThe answer to the first two parts of the Question is, Yes, Sir. Proposals for a joint water board are being negotiated, and, meanwhile, steps are being taken to protect the well from surface pollution. If further tests are then satisfactory, housebuilding will be approved.
§ Mr. MitchisonMeanwhile, pending the constitution of the joint county water board, is the Minister prepared to approve and promote schemes for local water supplies, and can anything be done meanwhile to urge this local authority and others similarly placed to get houses built in cases where there is a shortage of water?
§ Mr. BevanIt would be very expensive and, in many instances, improper to allow local schemes to be developed without their co-ordination with the county scheme as a whole. My hon. and learned Friend knows there is very considerable difficulty about water supplies in this area, and one of the limitations upon us at the moment is the shortage of steel.